Released in July 2010, is a real-time strategy game developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment. It is the sequel to the critically acclaimed StarCraft, and the first installment in the StarCraft II trilogy. Wings of Liberty focuses on the Protoss race and their struggle for survival amidst a galaxy-spanning conflict between the Terrans and the Zerg.
Gameplay
offers a refined and polished version of the classic StarCraft gameplay. Players command one of three races (Protoss, Terran, or Zerg) and engage in battles against computer-controlled opponents or other players online. Each race has its own unique units, buildings, and abilities, requiring players to adapt their strategies to the strengths and weaknesses of each faction.
The game features a single-player campaign with an extensive storyline that follows the journey of Jim Raynor, a former marshal, as he fights against the tyrannical Terran Dominion. Additionally, Wings of Liberty offers a variety of multiplayer modes, including ranked matches, custom games, and cooperative missions.
Features
- Single-player campaign: Immerse yourself in an epic storyline spanning multiple missions and cinematic cutscenes.
- Multiplayer: Compete against other players in ranked or custom matches, or team up for cooperative missions.
- Three unique races: Play as the Protoss, Terran, or Zerg, each with its own distinct units, buildings, and abilities.
- Custom maps and mods: Create your own maps and mods to extend the game’s replayability.
Story
‘s story revolves around the Protoss, a technologically advanced race facing extinction due to the invasion of the Zerg, a relentless alien swarm. Jim Raynor, a human outlaw, joins forces with the Protoss to fight against the Zerg and unravel the dark secrets of both races.
Reception
was met with critical acclaim upon release. Critics praised the game’s polished gameplay, engaging storyline, and endless replayability. The game has become a popular esports title, with numerous tournaments and leagues held around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the release date of ?
July 2010
2. Which races are available in Wings of Liberty?
Protoss, Terran, and Zerg
3. Does Wings of Liberty have a single-player campaign?
Yes, it features an extensive single-player campaign following the journey of Jim Raynor.
4. What kind of multiplayer modes are available in Wings of Liberty?
Ranked matches, custom games, and cooperative missions.
5. Is a popular esports title?
Yes, it is a popular title with numerous tournaments and leagues held worldwide.
Additional Information
- Genre: Real-time strategy
- Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
- Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS
- Release date: July 2010
- Official website: https://starcraft2.com/en-us/
continues to be a beloved and enduring game in the real-time strategy genre. Its engaging gameplay, rich storyline, and endless replayability have captivated players and esports fans alike for over a decade.
StarCraft
StarCraft is a military science fiction real-time strategy (RTS) video game developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment. Released in 1998, it is the first installment of the StarCraft franchise. Set in the Koprulu Sector, a distant region of the Milky Way galaxy, the game follows three species: the Terrans, a faction of exiled humans; the Zerg, a race of insectoid aliens; and the Protoss, an advanced and enigmatic species. Players choose one of these species and engage in real-time battles, controlling units and constructing buildings to achieve victory. StarCraft is known for its compelling storyline, intense gameplay, and its impact on the RTS genre, with its legacy continuing in the highly successful sequel, StarCraft: Brood War (1998).
Protoss
The Protoss are a highly advanced and spiritual race from the star system Aiur in the Koprulu Sector of the StarCraft universe. They are known for their powerful psionic abilities, advanced technology, and rigid caste system.
Characteristics:
- Possess immense psionic energy that allows them to control minds, teleport, and create powerful shields.
- Have a highly disciplined and hierarchical society divided into castes based on psionic ability.
- Rely on advanced technology, including plasma shields, void rays, and energy blasts.
- Are typically tall, slender, and have blue skin and luminescent crests.
History:
- Originated from a world known as Shakuras.
- Were forced to flee Aiur due to the Zerg invasion and have been searching for a new home world ever since.
- Have a long-standing conflict with the Zerg Swarm and a rivalry with the Terran Dominion.
Role in StarCraft:
- The Protoss are a playable race in the StarCraft series, offering a unique blend of psionic power, technological superiority, and strategic gameplay.
- Known for their strong defense and crowd control abilities.
- Have a reputation for being difficult to master but highly rewarding for skilled players.
Campaign
is the first installment in the StarCraft II trilogy, a real-time strategy game developed by Blizzard Entertainment. Set years after the events of the original StarCraft, Wings of Liberty follows the story of Jim Raynor, a former marshal of the Terran Confederacy who joins forces with a group of rebels known as the Raynor’s Raiders.
Their mission is to overthrow the tyrannical Terran Dominion and liberate their home planet of Korhal IV. Along the way, they encounter a cast of memorable characters, engage in intense battles against the Zerg and Protoss races, and uncover dark secrets and conspiracies that threaten the entire Koprulu Sector.
With its engaging storyline, thrilling gameplay, and stunning graphics, is considered a classic of the real-time strategy genre. The campaign offers a diverse range of missions, each with unique objectives and challenges, providing players with an unforgettable and immersive gaming experience.
Multiplayer
In ‘s multiplayer mode, players choose between three races: the Protoss, Terran, and Zerg. Each race possesses unique units, abilities, and playstyles. Players compete in matches of 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, or 4v4, with the goal of destroying their opponents’ bases while defending their own.
Multiplayer offers ranked matches for competitive players, with a ladder system that ranks players based on their skill. Players can also engage in unranked matches for casual play or practice. The game features various maps with different layouts and objectives, ensuring a diverse and challenging experience.
Wings of Liberty multiplayer emphasizes strategy, resource management, and unit control. Players must carefully plan their build orders, research upgrades, and execute coordinated attacks to outmaneuver their opponents. Teamwork and communication are crucial in team-based matches, where players must coordinate their efforts to achieve victory.
Protoss Race in StarCraft
The Protoss are an advanced, spiritual race of humanoids with a strong connection to psionic energy. They possess powerful technologies such as warp gates, photon cannons, and void rays.
Characteristics:
- Skilled in psionics and energy manipulation
- Known for their high shields and relatively low health
- Utilize warp gates for rapid troop deployment
Strengths:
- Overwhelming energy weapons and abilities
- Advanced shields provide excellent defense
- Warp prism allows for versatile unit transport
Weaknesses:
- Limited mobility compared to other races
- Vulnerable to early game rushes
- Struggles against high air defenses
Notable Units:
- Zealot: Melee warrior with psionic blades
- Stalker: Ranged attacker with blink ability
- Colossus: Siege unit with a powerful laser
- High Templar: Psionic spellcaster with storm and feedback abilities
Strategy:
Protoss players typically focus on defensive strategies, using their shields and energy weapons to protect themselves. They rely on warp gates to quickly reinforce their positions and overwhelm their opponents with late-game technological superiority.
Cheat Codes
- Show me the money: Adds 500 Minerals and 500 Vespene Gas
- Black sheep wall: Creates a wall of Sheep around the selected unit
- Game over man, game over!: Ends the current game immediately
- I see dead people: Reveals the entire map
- Stayin’ alive: Makes the selected unit invulnerable to damage
- Photon overlord: Gives an Overlord the ability to use Photon Cannon abilities
- Operation cwal: Hides all units on the map from the minimap
- Warp ten, engage: Enables instant Warping In
- Show me the minerals: Reveals all Mineral Fields on the map
- There is no spoon: Makes all units invisible to the enemy
Protoss Units in StarCraft
Protoss units in StarCraft are technologically advanced and known for their psionic abilities. They excel in energy-based attacks, potent shields, and versatile support capabilities. Key Protoss units include:
- Adept: A psionic warrior that can teleport short distances and deals bonus damage to shields.
- Archon: A powerful two-headed fusion of two High Templars.
- Colossus: A massive walker that deals splash damage with its thermal lance.
- Dark Templar: A cloaked melee unit with significant psionic power.
- Disruptor: A heavily armored unit that deploys purification novas, slowing and damaging enemies.
- High Templar: A psionic caster that can use powerful abilities like storm and feedback.
- Immortal: A sturdy shielded unit that can upgrade to be more durable or deal increased damage.
- Observer: A flying detection unit that provides vision and can cloak.
- Phoenix: A fast-moving air unit that can lift and transport other units.
- Sentry: A support unit that can create force fields and disable enemy shields.
- Stalker: A ranged unit that can blink short distances and deal bonus damage to biological targets.
- Void Ray: A versatile air unit that can attack both ground and air targets.
- Warp Prism: A transport unit that allows Protoss units to warp in at its location.
Patch Notes
Version 1.0.0
New Features
- Added Protoss Immortal unit.
- Added new multiplayer map: Entombed Valley.
Balance Changes
Protoss
- Increased High Templar energy cost from 80 to 100.
- Reduced Void Ray damage from 12 to 10.
Terran
- Increased Siege Tank building time from 70 to 80 seconds.
- Reduced Medivac boost speed from 150% to 130%.
Zerg
- Increased Baneling movement speed from 3.0 to 3.5.
- Reduced Roaches health from 80 to 70.
Bug Fixes
- Fixed an issue where the Oracle could become stuck in the air.
- Fixed an issue where the Mothership could not use its Photon Overcharge ability.
- Fixed an issue where players could get stuck on the edge of the map.
Protoss Strategy in StarCraft
Protoss in StarCraft employ a versatile and strategic approach that prioritizes air and ground dominance, technological superiority, and careful resource management. Here are key elements of Protoss strategy:
-
Early Game:
- Establish a strong economy by building multiple Nexus structures and Photon Cannons for defense.
- Train Stalkers and Adepts for mobility and harassment.
- Research Chronoboost to accelerate unit and building production.
-
Mid Game:
- Transition into air dominance by constructing Stargates and building Carriers or Void Rays.
- Use Observer units for scouting and detection.
- Upgrade weapons and warp technology to strengthen offensive capabilities.
-
Late Game:
- Maintain air superiority with Carrier and mothership combos.
- Establish multiple base locations to secure resources and expand economy.
- Utilize High Templar for Archon transformations and Storm abilities.
- Research Twilight Council upgrades to enhance unit damage and shields.
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Key Advantages:
- Strongest air force in the game
- Advanced technology and upgrades
- Exceptional defensive structures and force fields
Mods
is a popular real-time strategy game which has received a lot of mod support from the community. These mods add new features, maps, units, and even entire campaigns to the game. Some of the most popular mods include:
- StarCraft Universe: A total conversion mod that recreates the original StarCraft game in the StarCraft II engine.
- Mass Recall: A mod that brings back many of the classic units and mechanics from StarCraft: Brood War.
- Brutalisk: A mod that adds a new, powerful unit to the game.
- The Lost Vikings: A mod that recreates the classic puzzle game, The Lost Vikings, in the StarCraft II engine.
- StarCraft II AI: A mod that allows players to create and play against custom AI opponents.
Protoss in StarCraft
Protoss maps in StarCraft are designed to favor the Protoss race. They typically feature open spaces with plenty of room for Protoss units to maneuver. They also often have high ground positions that Protoss can use to their advantage. Protoss maps can be difficult for other races to play on, as they are not as well-suited to the strengths of those races.
Custom Maps
Custom maps are a staple of the StarCraft II experience, providing players with an endless variety of game modes, challenges, and multiplayer experiences. In Wings of Liberty, custom maps were predominantly created by the community using the in-game map editor.
These custom maps encompass a wide range of genres and gameplay styles, including:
- Tower defense: Defend against waves of increasingly powerful enemies using strategically placed towers.
- MOBA (Massively Online Battle Arena): Team-based multiplayer matches where players control individual heroes with unique abilities.
- Brood War: Custom maps that recreate and expand upon the classic real-time strategy game StarCraft: Brood War.
- Arcade-style games: Casual and often humorous games inspired by classic arcade titles.
Popular custom maps include Tower Defense games like "Lord of the Rings TD" and "Gem TD," MOBAs like "League of Legends" and "Heroes of the Storm," and Brood War maps like "StarCraft: Mass Recall." Custom maps have played a significant role in the longevity and popularity of StarCraft II, fostering a vibrant community of creators and players.
Protoss Guide in StarCraft
Unit Composition:
- Stalkers: Versatile ground unit with shields and a ranged attack.
- Zealots: Melee units with high health and charge ability.
- High Templars: Psionic units that can cast Storm and Feedback.
- Archons: Powerful units created by merging two High Templars.
- Void Rays: Interceptor-launching air units with a focused beam attack.
Tech Tree:
- Forge: Upgrades weapons for ground units.
- Cybernetics Core: Unlocks Stalkers, Archons, and Warp Gate technology.
- Gateway: Produces Zealots and Stalkers.
- Stargate: Produces Void Rays and other air units.
- Templar Archives: Unlocks High Templars and psionic storm.
Strategy:
- Early Game: Focus on building Stalkers and investing in Cybernetics Core upgrades.
- Mid Game: Expand your economy, produce Void Rays, and unlock High Templars.
- Late Game: Tech up to Archons and Disruptors, focus on controlling the map and using psi storms.
Tips:
- Use Warp Gates to rapidly deploy units to strategic locations.
- Control your Void Rays with hotkeys and micro them to avoid counterattacks.
- Position High Templars carefully to minimize Storm damage to your own units.
- Upgrade shields and attack in the Forge to enhance your army’s survivability.
- Use Archons to counter enemy spellcasters and deal splash damage.